Fox News to host first GOP presidential primary debate in August

The Republican National Committee announced Friday that Fox News will host the first 2016 GOP presidential primary debate, from Ohio, in August.

The announcement came during the RNC’s winter meeting in California this week.

In all, there will be nine scheduled debates. Five will be held in 2015 and will take place in Ohio, California, Colorado, Wisconsin and Nevada. In 2016, there will be debates in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.

The GOP will officially nominate its presidential candidate in July 2016 during the party’s national convention. Naming a nominee in July -- a full month earlier than in previous presidential election years -- will give the GOP nominee more time to campaign and the party more time to rally behind their candidate.